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What does Sony PlayStation look like without Xbox around?

DarkShadowXI

DarkShadowXI

Gold Member
Whether it's sooner or later, it seems like there's a chance that we may not see another Xbox.

If that were to happen, it could be the first time that Sony doesn't have strong direct competition in the high-end console space.

Previous "High-End" Direct Competitors
  • PS1: Sega Saturn, Nintendo 64
  • PS2: Dreamcast, Xbox, GameCube*
  • PS3: Xbox 360
  • PS4: Xbox One
  • PS5: Xbox Series X
* After the GameCube, Nintendo stepped out of the high-end space and carved their own path.

Let's say Microsoft pulls the plug during this generation:
  • Does Sony make any immediate changes to their strategy?
  • What does the rest of the PS5 generation look like and how long will it last?
  • How does Sony approach the PS6 without a direct competitor?
  • How does this affect PS+ and their PC releases?
  • Does anyone else step up in the console space? If so, who and how?
  • Will there even be another console generation or will the industry look different by then?
  • What other possibilities are there?
I know we have a plethora of Xbox threads, but it's really got me thinking about this unprecedented situation, if it were to happen.
 
Steamboxes will probably be the next competitor. Microsoft did a lot to make Sony look good the past couple gens. Without them to measure against, they will have to go against the ASUS ROG BlastBOX Z1. It'll be interesting to see if it changes Sony's trajectory at all.
 
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$799 PS6 launch edition, with no disc drive and 500 GB storage.

Don't wanna that? Well, you can choose to buy our rival's console.... Oh wait, there is no rival anymore! Eat it!
 
simpatico said:
Steamboxes will probably be the next competitor. Microsoft did a lot to make Sony look good the past couple gens. Without them to measure against, they will have to go against the ASUS ROG BlastBOX Z1. It'll be interesting to see if it changes Sony's trajectory at all.
Click to expand...
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EA drops support for Steam Deck, leaving fans frustrated. Learn why this decision matters for portable gaming and cross-platform innovation.
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Those kinda boxes that can't play the most popular games?
 
They will cancel the Extra and Premium tiers for PS+, or make them very expensive. These tiers were only created to compete with Gamepass.
 
Was there a similar sentiment to this about Nintendo once the PS Vita bombed and it was clear that Sony was not returning to the market? Serious question.
 
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Sony isn't fighting Xbox. Only console warrior fanboys are.

They're fighting cell phones, streaming services, and steam for your time.

So what does it look like? A lot like it does now. Then making games to keep you playing
 
LectureMaster said:
$799 PS6 launch edition, with no disc drive and 500 GB storage.

Don't wanna that? Well, you can choose to buy our rival's console.... Oh wait, there is no rival anymore! Eat it!
Click to expand...
To sell games they need to sell consoles....
They gain nothing with selling consoles at high profit, it doesn't grow install bases.
 
Generic said:
Now Nintendo releases $80 games.
Click to expand...
Sure, you could make an argument that post-2017 Nintendo is them at their absolute worst, but it's still not as hilariously dooming as people make it out to be.
Also, ignore the article part, not sure why I said that, lol.
 
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LectureMaster said:
$799 PS6 launch edition, with no disc drive and 500 GB storage.

Don't wanna that? Well, you can choose to buy our rival's console.... Oh wait, there is no rival anymore! Eat it!
Click to expand...
People will choose whether they want to pay that price for themselves and or their kids.

If they don't think it's worth it they'll buy a Switch 2, or a Steak Deck, or they'll just play on their phones and tablets.
 
As a PS5 owner I must say that I hate any lack of competition. It breeds incredible arrogance at the other companies.

I hope that sooner or later there'll be a strong third competitor except for PC. Or maybe Valve evolves to the third one.
 
Close to what they are going to look like with them around but with more Microsoft Stuidos games. I am just hoping they do not increase the price of PS+ soon because of the boneheaded way Xbox went about increasing the price of Game Pass.
 
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It's hard to predict, but if I were to guess, the prices of everything will increase (console, services, etc.) and Sony will publish even fewer games.

And there's still a chance Sony won't produce such powerful hardware for its next console, since it won't have a competitor in that regard.
 
There's this idea that without MS around( or another competitor in the high end console space) that Sony will run amok, but I don't see that being the case. Their business model is still largely reliant on moving hardware+software at scale, so they can only shoot themselves in the foot. Ultimately they're still competing for the things that everyone else is, time and money and people don't have limitless amounts of either, especially nowadays.
 
Playstation was known for genre defining action/adventure games and having experimental games that push the medium forward.

It is now known as the oddly shaped white box that collects dust unless unless you play sports games or COD.

There are not small experimental games coming out every month, and the big titles are taking an entire generation to come out.

That's not Playstations fault per se, but as a publisher they sure seem to be resting on their laurel while hurtling towards obilvion, because if the Chinese for instance can start putting out five Black Myth Wukong type games per year then Playstation has it lunch et.
 
IMO, Samsung should launch a game console.
They produce all the ecosystem, from the TV, the SO, the peripheries (smartphones), even the processor if they wanted it.

They could have the "best integrated technology" with this.
 
images
 
Probably higher prices and less first party games.

I'm expecting the worst but hopefully it'll be ok.
 
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This topic is predicated on the false assertion that Xbox is competition for PlayStation. The reality is Xbox was only competition for half of a single generation. Outside of North America and the United Kingdom, Xbox is a nothing brand. And within NA and the UK, their strongest two markets, Xbox is still being outsold by PlayStation by 3:1.

Sony won't change because Microsoft hasn't been a threat to them since around 2009/2010.
 
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Tobimacoss said:
www.geeky-gadgets.com

Major Publisher Abandons Steam Deck

EA drops support for Steam Deck, leaving fans frustrated. Learn why this decision matters for portable gaming and cross-platform innovation.
www.geeky-gadgets.com www.geeky-gadgets.com

Those kinda boxes that can't play the most popular games?
Click to expand...
I don't see how they have a choice unless they stop PC releases. This article is about an anti-cheat concern. If we're already looking for technicalities to pull their fat out of the fire, it doesn't bode well. If I'm Sony, my top priority is backwards compatibility with every PlayStation. PSX-PS5 all have to "just work" for PS6 to stand a fighting chance. I'd actually be very interested in a machine like that. We know it's the last PlayStation, so Sony has a chance to make it the ultimate expression of PlayStation, which I would be all over if done properly. The ASUS ROG BlastBOX Z1 is going to have the entire PC gaming library at launch, so Sony needs every gun firing now that Xbox isn't there to hand them W's.

Nice aluminum construction. Go back to the Sony era where it could be mistaken for a nice piece of HiFi kit. Like a cool AVR. Ports for PS2 controller, USB A and C on the front. 2 memory card slots. But do all this within the HiFi AVR design language. You could make it look fucking sleek. I even want the segmented digital display. On the rear, HDMI, Component and S-Video output. RGB if you want me to mention Sony in my eulogy. Maybe a nice ejection port for the M.2 SSD. The front will have a nice, slurping style BD drive. Controllers with be a dual sense sucessor and super nice, heavy PS3 controller remade. The OG perfected and luxurized.

THIS is how Sony can give PS5 Pro owners the Tflops sidegrade and still pass along some value in the PS6 launch. Just by making it a nice piece of consumer electronics, beyond a plastic disposable "console". That was lost on the PS4 imo. You can also offer a barebones game streaming box for the people who wouldn't appreciate kit like that. Just the black plastic rectangle with an HDMI output.
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A Nickle and diming company full of remakes, same as it looks now.

Sony won the war a few years ago, nothing will change. The only good thing is their output should pickup in the next few years.
 
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We've already had a strong preview of it this gen:

Phoning it in, under-delivering, neglecting core play bases, completing erasing the soul of PlayStation and yet still be rewarded with oodles of cash thanks to services revenue and their mtx cut.
 
The problem is that "PC" isn't an entity itself that can make decisions and compete with Playstation. Sony can just pull it's 1st party titles back off PC and make it exclusive and say "deal with it" to consumers. There is not going to be any recourse from from "PC" or publishers.
 
It's a bit premature, to say "without Xbox around" according to another thread on here, at the moment the Xbox next is still on course for 2027...(though yeah I know a lot can change...between now and then..) One thing is for sure though...the next Xbox will probably cost around the same as the ROG Ally..
 
Nydius said:
This topic is predicated on the false assertion that Xbox is competition for PlayStation. The reality is Xbox was only competition for half of a single generation. Outside of North America and the United Kingdom, Xbox is a nothing brand. And within NA and the UK, their strongest two markets, Xbox is still being outsold by PlayStation by 3:1.

Sony won't change because Microsoft hasn't been a threat to them since around 2009/2010.
Click to expand...
Sony definitely analyzes the competition and other developers. You'd have to be very naive to think they make decisions without taking Microsoft into consideration. This includes basic things like specs and pricing, and goes even further when you consider how the PS Plus revamp was a direct response to GamePass at the time.
 
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